Whale wars saga begins with Sea Shepherd's Paul Watson under investigation

The hype has begun well in advance of another round of the annual war over whaling between the Japanese  and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.

The former group is preparing for its impending seasonal hunt of mostly minke whales, with a quota of about 1,000 specimens it says are being killed for research purposes. The latter group is preparing for "Operation Waltzing Matilda," which will try to thwart the Japanese effort in and near the Antarctic region during its summer season.

Of course, a crew from Animal Planet will accompany Sea Shepherd and Paul Watson, its famous -- or infamous, depending on your viewpoint -- captain, to gather footage for a third season of the popular "Whale Wars" series.

But will Watson's campaign actually get underway? The Brisbane Times is reporting that Watson's police and court records are being evaluated before he's allowed to enter Australia, which is the starting point for his annual campaigns.

Specifically, Watson, who holds a U.S. passport, is being reviewed because of Sea Shepherd claims that it sank whaling ships in Norway. 

Watson claims politics are behind all of this and is quoted as saying, ''I am not wanted on any warrants [and] I have never received a felony conviction.''

Ironically, the Australian government is trying to persuade Japan to halt its commercial whaling effort (research notwithstanding, the meat  is sold commercially). Japan, meanwhile, has been trying to persuade Australia to help prevent Sea Shepherd from disrupting its hunts and endangering the lives of its crews.

The Australian Federal Police is still reviewing seized video and ship records after last year's campaign, which was dramatic and confrontational. That investigation reportedly was prompted by complaints from Japan.

Watson had hoped to be with Sea Shepherd and its flagship vessel, Steve Irwin, this week as it begins a promotional tour of capital cities. He still plans on being along for the campaign, but it will be no waltz.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo of Capt. Paul Watson courtesy of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society

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Comments

[environment first]

So Rick tell me this how did you go in Japan? Did you try the restaurants that had the big sign up on the door that said in both Japanese and English "Foreigners not welcomed". You did not have a problem, because you did not push that boundary. Maybe we should put up signs here in Australia that say "Japanese not welcome in this restaurant". Wait!!! That would be wrong, wouldn't it? Check it out on You Tube for yourself.

I would hardly call buying one product a donation. You got something in return. Also Rick you did not buy it directly from the Whalers. You bought it from a food outlet, several times removed and with huge mark-ups. Unless it was one of those stolen batches of whale meat that the whalers smuggle off the ships, they describe as cardboard, check out the "Tokyo Two" and the Green Peace campaign. So if it was stolen whale meat then, does that make you an accessory to crime for receiving stolen goods?

When an Australian farmers sells cattle, they get about $1.40 per kilo. Out of that money they have to pay for all the expenses, transport, cattle yards etc. The meat gets sold in the shops for up to $30 per kilo. If you told a farmer you donated money and supported him because you bought a hamburger once. He would laugh and would say "You know Rick, I need someone to help me mend my fences, repair machinery and put crops in".

Because most of it not all the profits from that hamburger went to the large multi-national corporations. Maybe that is why the workers on the whaling ships are having to resort to stealing whale meat from their employers? When you bought the whale sushi, did most of that money really go back to the whalers?

Seriously Rick, if you want to do something exciting and live life to the full, get a real cause. Not one based on exploitation and that generates profits for big business.

Also have you had your heavy metals tested as I believe whale meat is high in Mercury and PCB's. In Canada the doctors are trying to discourage the local fisherman from eating whales. This has come about because the build up of toxicity is having serious health issues especially in the young children of the fisherman.

You only have to see the effect of Minamata disease, Japan 1956, with the release of methyl mercury into the river from the fertilizer factory.

Why a whaling ship Rick? How about a real research ship like the " Calypso" with someone who is inspiring and like the late "Jacque Cousteau". Think about it you would get to travel the world and meet incredible people with brilliant minds, opening up new worlds, get to do scuba diving, travel to the depths in submarines, make films and discover new things and enriching the human experience. WOW.

One last thing, you do not know what my mission is. I am nearly 50 but look around thirty with the strength and athletic body of a person in their 20's and in perfect health. Yes people do disagree with me and they tell me that I am crazy (even been told off for having young skin and not having any wrinkles) :). I did not achieve this amazing health by being in agreement with people. You will never make a difference in the world by going along with the flow.

[Kathy]

I think that it is a shame that the government does not get it yet. Why do we have to keep up the killing of any species. I think better yet perhaps we as a people should spend our efforts on controlling our own population. Our planet cannot sustain our current numbers and we really need to look at a serious effort in controlling the human populations of the world. If we did not support countries like Japan and China then I am sure there would be no problem in preventing them from killing whales, and dolphins, and kittens etc etc!!

I think that we should stop supporting these countries and stop buying anything make in their countries. I will not buy anything made in either of these countries. Like paul watson says, hit them where it hurts the most - the wallet!

[Rick]

Dear environment first,
I have to disagree with your opinion, which is quite different than mine. Let me answer your questions at the bottom of your “post”. I enjoyed my vacation to Japan last year; the discrimination you mentioned was never an issue anywhere we visited. I don’t have a couch, I would donate my time to be on the ship and take my chances with an “accident” and I have donated money to the whalers by paying for my whale sushi in Tokyo. Finally I do shoot from my mouth, but I haven’t” pissed in my pants” since I was 4. Good luck in your quest to put the environment first, but remember there are other people who may not agree with your “mission”

[environment first]

Hey Rick, the truth is the Japanese Whalers would not want you on board their whaling ships. Or have you not noticed, let me tell it to you straight. They do not like foreigners going to their restaurants or other social places. They are very biased and besides that, even if you could by some miracle get on board. Would you really want to work for them? After 3 deaths, two ship fires, multiple injuries requiring hospitalization, and other mishaps, their occupational health and safety is very poor. They are dangerous to themselves.

When ever there has been a clash with the Japanese, no lives have been lost. When the SSCS leaves the Antarctic to get fuel and Japanese go to work, that is when they start killing themselves. If anything the SSCS are out there saving Japanese lives as well as whales. Yes go Ricky and when you come back with your arm cut off while working on one of their dangerous ships we will piss ourselves laughing at you.

And how is it that the Japanese bitch about possible loss of life and how dangerous the SSCS is and fail to mention actual deaths they caused to their workers. Maybe you can explain it to me Ricky. I think everyone here would love to know.

If you feel so cut up about it, why do you not donate some money to the whalers so they can increase their profits. Put your money where your mouth is. Go work for them for nothing, scrub their floors and toilets, donate your time and money. The truth is you do not have enough gumption to lift your own butt off the sofa, let alone work towards something you believe in. You shoot from the mouth and piss in your own pants.

[marlene vandyke]

Mr. Watson and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
are wonderful and extreemly brave people making a diffrence to the world as well as to future Generations, so our children can enjoy seeing these beautiful and and important animals . Saving our world;s marine life and oceans is paramount to our future .
Japans position is that they are killing whales for research purposes, which is a lie or " utter hogwash as my grandma use to say!" The law needs to be changed and the loop hole closed .
Japan is endangering the lives of both crews.
Sea Shepherd is protecting marine life , Japan is cruel and only out to make profits. Future World Historians will speak volumes about Japan's greed.
The Australian government needs to stand up and support
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and Mr. Watson .
I know the world does!!!

at the greed

[Rick]

Hate to break the news to some of you, but not everyone watching Whale Wars agrees with Paul Watson and his “mission”. I have seen many people asking where to sign up for the Sea Shepherd’s crew, but I would be first in line waiting to sign up with the Japanese fleet to “pull the trigger.” This season with operation “Waltzing Matilda”, one could hope the season finale would be on a different Discovery channel such as The Military Channel and not Animal Planet.

[mike downs]

Capt.Watson,I support you and Sea Shepherd 100%. I just wish the politicians would spend more time investigating the Japanese whalers,instead of you.They do anything that they can do to destroy life and the planet,but you are the 1 to be investigated. Keep up the great work,and lets do what it takes to save whales,and the oceans.

[SoCalSailor]

We don't have to wait for next season for you, Kenn. You fail right in front of everyone. . .

[Kenn]

I cant wait for the next season. Watching the Sea Shepard crew fail at just about everything is absolutely hysterical.

[Matt Bieker]

Go Sea Shepherds.

20 years ago, the Japanese Whalers nearly caused whales to go extinct. Don't trust their whaling industry. Whales have made a slight comeback, but the whaling industry is using this as an excuse to try and kill thousands.

The Sea Shepherd Charity is the only thing standing to save many species from extinction.

Call your congressman, spread the word. It's our planet. The Japanese are in international waters, and we have as much "Right" to the whales as they do.

Don't let them rape our planet

[johnnie White]

You go Captain Paul. The harder they try to tear you down the more we and you know what you are doing is right. I am surprised by Austrian I thought they were trying to help save the ocean, not like the Japanese that are raping it ever chance they get. They act like the ocean is their own personnel meat market and every thing for their taking. I think it time we made them know they are wrong and I think if I had my way the Japanese would be allowed on the ocean period. They are killer for no reason, they sell into slavery what they do not kill. They are the worst kind of predators. Something should be done about them. I think we should boycott them and also not export any item to them and buy nothing from them. Take their cars back and dumb them in the bay, let them kill cars for awhile!!

[Dawn]

We support you Paul and Sea Shepherd....keep fighting for the whales....PLEASE....

[Andy Wrench]

Hi Sea Shepherd

Good luck Paul - I hope u get back into Australia. Anyway what's wrong with sinking whaling ships? The Police in Norway regularly confiscate people's cars when they are illegally on the road and then have them crushed. Norway is illegally whaling, so why not uphold international law and stop their ships - Sink the lot of them!

When we went up to Lofoten Isles in Norway the blood covered ships were in port with their kills there for everyone to see. I Strongly encourage everyone in Europe to go up and see this whale murder for themselves. Bear Witness and be informed.

[Paul Fortin]

If it was not for Paul Watson and Sea Shepherd, no one would be actively trying to save the whales. Shame on Austrialia for trying to prevent Paul Watson from helping the whales, to say nothing of the disgusting Japanese whale murderers.

[carol gillette]

I don't know where to begin. Why is it the bad guy always gets to be rewarded for doing evil??? These man are heartless and money hungry at the expense of these buatiful animals. I CRIED, as they harpooned then shot a Whale.To watch it was the hardest thing I've ever had to do!!You need more finances to update your ship and beat them at thier own game.I'm going to contact someone and see how we can help. My prayers are with you to win this battle.

[Dave Head]

Japan's continued and expanded program of scientific whaling is inconsistent with its obligations under the Law of the Sea Convention, the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling Convention, the Convention on the
Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), and the Convention on Biological Diversity to protect and preserve the marine environment, to protect rare and fragile ecosystems and endangered species, to prepare environmental impact assessments when changes to the marine
environment are likely to be caused by its activities, and to refrain from claiming resources under the guise of marine scientific research. This program is not legitimately "scientific" because it has not been
peer-reviewed and does not have precise quantifiable goals. It is inconsistent with Japan's obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity because reduces the sustainability of whale species and has "adverse impacts on biological diversity." It is unquestionably an abuse of
right because it invokes Article VIII of the Whaling Convention in a manner that certainly was unanticipated by the framers of the Convention and has been repeatedly condemned by the majority of the other contracting parties
to the Convention.
Japan's actions can be challenged by concerned states in the International Court of Justice or through the dispute resolution procedures of the Law of the Sea Convention and the conciliation procedures of the Convention on Biological
Diversity.

All it now requires is politicians with 'balls' or maybe that should be women politicians who don't.

[Travsi]

Keep up the great work Paul! We are with you! Japan needs to stop the killing of whales!!

[Tula]

If we left the saving of whales to politicians they would be extinct in the forseeable future!